Print the value of index0
Express Fashion - Victoria's Secret - Bath & Body Works - The Limited Used personal data from job application for marketing purposes Chandler Arizona
In February 2008, I applied for a sales position at Express in Chandler Fashion Square (Chandler, AZ). I obtained employment elsewhere before they called for an interview. On 5/23/08, a family member reported receiving a mailer from Express at their home. This address was listed ONLY on the application and has NEVER been used for mail by me as it was a temporary address and also I have had a PO Box for the last 10 years. I have never given a physical address to an employer (or even the IRS for that matter) in the last 10 years. So how did Express get my name and connect this address? Considering I do not shop at Express or any of its other stores, (Victoria's Secret, Bath & Body Works, or The Limited), and I at no time provided this information to them for the purposes of marketing, the only logical explanation was that the information was gleaned off my application. I contacted Express, and they indicated they did NOT do this, but what other explanation do they have? Now I have to wait 6-8 weeks to be "removed" from their marketing lists. The issue is not being added to their list, which does bother me but it is inconsequential to the fact that they obtained their information by sharing private information supplied for the express purpose of obtaining employment with a department outside of HR. When I think of the information that was on that application (Social/DOB/Job History) it makes me sick to my stomach. At no time did Express disclose that by applying with their company I was consenting to be added to their marketing list. And of course, when questioned, they denied it because there is the question of legality and ethics. I will never do business with any of the stores owned by Express. I am glad I did not accept a position there, I could never work for such a dishonest company!
Karen
Chandler, AZ
Anonymous
Mesa, Arizona
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Anonymous
Mesa,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Regarding rebuttal
#3Author of original report
Thu, December 04, 2008
Thanks for the info, however please note that I have NOT purchased ANYTHING from Express or any of it's other companies in at least 10 years - and the relative in question has only owned this home for 6, so there would be no connection whatsoever. I do NOT give out ANY phone numbers, and even if I did, the only phone I have is a CELLULAR phone that is only connected to the PO Box - NOT the address the mailers went to. I am very vigilent of my privacy after being the victim of a stalker who terrorized me for over 2 years. At the time - there were no anti-stalking laws on the books, so the police said I could do nothing until he succeeded in gaining unauthorized access to my home/car, raped me, physically hurt me, or killed me. I had to move 1800 miles to escape and still live in terror nearly 15 years later. NO ONE gets my private information - PERIOD. Not even the DMV, my employers or the IRS have my actual physical address - so how did Express get a family member's address that does not even share my last name and whom I have no mail going to?
Express has repeatedly LIED to me, and still sends me their f**king mailers, even after promising to take me off their mailing list. Express finally provided me a phone number to HR to discuss this, but when I called - the woman answering refused to put me through - instead sending me to their "Credit Card" hotline repeatedly. I have filed an Identity theft report with the Chandler police department and put a freeze on my credit reports. Express is a bunch of shady liars - every last employee - and I will NEVER do business with any of their companies. I am considering filing suit for mental anguish.
Alana
Kansas City,Missouri,
U.S.A.
Just a bit of info....
#3UPDATE Employee
Wed, September 17, 2008
Hello!
What you are saying is most definitely a legitimate concern....But I have worked at Express for several years now, and I have a little bit of information that might help you with that. First, applications to Express are not kept for a long time in all actuality. Once a group interview has been conducted and employees hired, the remaining applications are shredded and disposed of. Secondly, you would not have had to provide your actual mailing address to receive any promotional mailing from Express....If you have bought any items from Express, Victoria's Secret, or Bath and Body Works (which were all owned by Limited Brands until Express changed companies Summer '07), cashiers ask for your telephone number. Most people give their number without thinking much of it. Honestly, it doesn't hurt anything, but you will begin receiving promotional coupons in the mail. The deal is, a home phone number connects to a physical mailing address. When the telephone number is given, the computer then connects those numbers to an address, and that is where the mail is sent. So, if you have shopped there at all in the past 5 years, chances are you are in the system. I realize that it would be pretty scary if you thought your personal information was out in the open, but I just wanted to make sure you knew that Express will NEVER ask for your mailing address to send you coupons. If someone does, DO NOT give it to them, but ask to speak to a manager. We are advised on retrieving phone numbers and/or email addresses ONLY. Applications are never stored for long periods of time, because frankly, Express has a large turn-over rate, and receives hundreds upon hundreds of applications (relative to location obviously).
Hope this helps!